Multi Day Trips from Paramaribo

Suriname’s interior is reached from Paramaribo by road and river. The three classic multi day trips are a stay at a Maroon river lodge, an expedition into the Central Suriname Nature Reserve and a turtle-watching trip to Galibi. Each is sold as an all-inclusive package, and prices are usually quoted per person in euros. Use an established operator, as the UK government advises for central Suriname.

Upper Suriname River

A 3 or 4 day stay on the Upper Suriname River is the standard interior trip. The journey starts with a drive of about three hours south along the Afobakaweg to Atjoni, where the paved road ends. From there a motorised dugout (korjaal) takes one to two hours upriver through rapids to lodges on river islands. Lodges named by operators include Danpaati Eco Lodge, Anaula Nature Resort and Jaw Jaw Community Lodge.

Days are filled with guided walks through Saramaka Maroon villages, where guides explain woodcarving, cassava bread and the spirit houses. You can cool off in the river rapids, join a night boat ride with torches to find caimans and tree frogs, and take a forest medicine walk. Ask your guide before taking photographs in a village. The package costs about EUR 280 to 420 per person.

Central Suriname Nature Reserve

The Central Suriname Nature Reserve covers 1.6 million hectares of rainforest and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Access is guided, through STINASU or an operator. A 4 day expedition drives west to Witagron, then goes by korjaal up the Coppename River to Raleighvallen and Foengoe Island. The highlight is a trek of about 7 km followed by a steep climb up the Voltzberg, a bare granite dome rising above the canopy. From the top you see unbroken forest to the horizon. Birders look for the Guianan cock-of-the-rock, and eight monkey species live in the forest. Expect to pay about EUR 320 to 480 per person.

Galibi turtle trip

Galibi is Kalina (Carib) territory at the mouth of the Marowijne River, on the border with French Guiana. A 3 day trip travels east to Albina, then by korjaal, about 1.5 hours, to the villages of Christiaankondre and Langamankondre. The nesting season runs roughly from February to July, with a peak from April to July. Guided night walks along the sand spits may show leatherback and green turtles coming ashore to nest. Olive ridley and hawksbill turtles also nest here. Sightings are not guaranteed, and visits are guided only. Follow your guide’s instructions, use no flash and keep a distance from nesting turtles. The cost is about EUR 220 to 320 per person. More background is on the Galibi Nature Reserve page on Wikipedia .

Health and safety on the river

  • Wear a life jacket whenever you travel through rapids.
  • Shuffle your feet when wading in shallow river water, because freshwater stingrays lie on sandy bottoms.
  • Piranhas and caimans live in slow tributaries. Swim only where the guide says it is safe, and never with an open cut.
  • Malaria occurs in the deep interior, so ask a travel clinic about prevention, and use repellent with DEET against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
  • A yellow fever certificate is needed when you arrive from a country with transmission risk, and vaccination is strongly advised for the interior.

Planning

The long dry season from August to November is the usual choice for jungle trekking. Rivers run high and flooding is common from May to August. Pay the online Entry Fee, about USD 50 to 58 with the handling fee, and complete the Immigration and Customs Form before you fly. The UK government safety page for Suriname is a useful check before you book.

Read more: Day Trips from Paramaribo covers shorter excursions if you have less time.

Booking help

Packaged interior tours can be compared on Viator .